It was a boozy and teary Tuesday in Washington. The tears belonged to Ohio Rep. John Boehner, who cried during his remarks delivered at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s event at the Grand Hyatt shortly before midnight.
The tears also probably belonged to some of the Democrats gathered at the Liaison Capitol Hill for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee event, but Yeas & Nays wouldn’t know much about that. The DCCC wouldn’t let reporters anywhere near partygoers nor the Democratic all-stars — Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and DCCC head Rep. Chris Van Hollen — when they stopped by early in the evening to offer the crowd some hope.
That was several hours before the Democrats officially lost the majority in the House.
The mood was consistently up-tempo at the NRCC “election night watch,” though many conservatives flocked to the nearby Americans for Tax Reform gathering, which offered an open bar and snacks from Chick-fil-A. Grover Norquist, who heads the organization, was there, along with Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review, Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Ralph Reed, Americans for Prosperity’s Tim Phillips and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who popped in before heading to the NRCC event.
Boehner, who is poised to become the next speaker of the House, was the NRCC’s main attraction, entering to chants of “Speaker.”
“We must remember that it’s the president who sets the agenda for our government,” Boehner said. “The American people have sent an unmistakable message to him tonight and that message is, ‘Change course.’ ”
Boehner, a known crier, then got weepy.
“I’ve spent my whole life chasing the American dream,” he said to chants of “U-S-A.” “I put myself through school, worked in every rotten job there was and every night shift I could find, and I poured my heart and soul into running a small business.” He then thanked his wife.
“I stand before you ready to lead,” he said.
